Why was Michelle Obama at the Oscars? — It was the average too-long, unfunny, over-produced Academy Awards TV show and then, after suffering through the 10-hour (well, it seemed like it) show, there was the first lady. In a ball gown. With military service personnel in dress uniform behind her.

Democrats and Republicans Miscalculate on Automatic Cuts — WASHINGTON — With Congress unlikely to stop deep automatic spending cuts that will strike hard at the military, the fiscal stalemate is highlighting a significant shift in the Republican Party: lawmakers most keenly dedicated …

John Kerry invents country of Kyrzakhstan — John Kerry has suffered his first gaffe as the new US secretary of state, inventing the nation of ‘Kyrzakhstan’ — In an embarrassing slip of the tongue, Mr Kerry last week praised US diplomats working to secure “democratic institutions” in the Central Asian country, which does not exist.

Dems 2016: Will Hillary Clinton clear the field? — The ranks of Democratic governors are filled with ambitious politicians boasting records that would probably play well with primary voters in 2016. — But even as they eye a move from the statehouse to the White House …

Cardinal Keith O'Brien resigns as Archbishop — Cardinal Keith O'Brien was to be Britain's only representative at the papal vote — Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, is stepping down as the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Barnes & Noble Weighs Its E-Reader Investment — Even for a company with a lot of bad news lately, the bulletin from Barnes & Noble this month had an ominous feel. — Barnes & Noble, the nation's largest book chain, warned that when it reports fiscal 2013 third-quarter results on Thursday …

Judd Makes Steps Toward Senate Bid — The beautiful movie star tries to take on Washington by defeating a powerful Republican leader. It's not a plot line, it's reality: The actress Ashley Judd is making moves to take on GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

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